Santa Fe elects first openly gay mayor

“I stand before you humbled. I stand you before standing on the shoulders of people like [outgoing Mayor] Coss and my father and so many who have been before in this position to say that I am ready to accept the responsibility and the honour of being your mayor.”

— Javier Gonzales, the first openly gay mayor of Santa Fe, speaking at his victory party. Gonzales, former chairman of the New Mexico Democratic Party whose father was mayor of Santa Fe from 1968 to 1972, swept to victory with 43 percent of the vote. His two competitors finished with 28.7 percent and 28 percent of the electorate’s vote.